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Christmas

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Original poster

Best (most luxurious to read) Christmas Cookery Book?

28 replies

StDogolphin · 21/08/2015 10:41

I am looking for the best, glossiest and most luxuriously presented Christmas cookery book with recipes that you can really cook with a variety of skill levels. I have on my radar Nigella and Delia, perhaps Mary Berry, perhaps something Nordic? Any suggestions, or perhaps ones to avoid? I am limited to shopping online rather than being able to browse in the shops, and now seems a really good time to do some planning.

OP posts:
MadrigalElectromotive · 21/08/2015 12:17

I love the Nigella one. Lovely recipes and beautiful photos. I also like the way she writes, although I know not everyone does!

bilbodog · 21/08/2015 17:37

I've used the Delia Christmas book time and time again - has some wonderful recipes in it.

Original poster
StDogolphin · 21/08/2015 18:25

This isn't helping, I was only going to buy one! I need consensus! Grin

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PotteringAlong · 21/08/2015 18:27

Do you like baking? The great British bake off christmas is very good! I've also used the hairy hikers christmas one a lot.

TheSpottedZebra · 21/08/2015 18:28

Loads of people here used to talk about Sarah Raven ' s Xmas book - it includes flower stuff as well as food. So I bought it, but fpund it really dry. So def avoid that one!

For me, Xmas starts when I get my Delia and Nigella out. I also have Scandinavian Baking something, which is excellent, but is not something that you'd just read to get Xmassy like the other 2.

Fitzers · 21/08/2015 18:33

Nigella for me, isn't Christmas without it, although I agree she has a style you either like or really don't.

jonicomelately · 21/08/2015 18:35

Forget the cookery book and get the Booths Christmas brochure instead! It's fantastic.

jonicomelately · 21/08/2015 18:36

Fitzers We have the Nigella Christmas muffins for breakfast on Christmas Day and it's become a little tradition now. They are superb.

jonicomelately · 21/08/2015 18:38

Booths book is here
www.booths.co.uk/request-a-book/

TheOnlyPink · 21/08/2015 18:44

I love novellas recipes, there's something for every event you could think of, and been following her time plan for a few years now, it's spot on.

But delias book is beautiful. Some very traditional recipes that are more suited to adults, but it's got stunning pictures and it makes me feel all cosy and festive reading it. I really love it, even though I've never cooked anything from it.

TheOnlyPink · 21/08/2015 18:45

That's supposed to be "I love nigellas recipes" Blush

nickdrakeslovechild · 21/08/2015 19:25

Nigella all the way, I have loads of Christmas cookery books and its the one I use the most and has the most christmassy feel IYSWIM?! I have just got the Delia one which has got some lovely recipies, but not as nice a book as nigella.

Nigella star topped mince pies and ham in cherry coca cola are 2 of my must have recipies, I think there would be a mutiny here if they were not constantly avaiable in December!

expatmumsy · 21/08/2015 19:56

Home Cooking A Writer in the Kitchen isn't exactly a luxuriously presented book, but I just love the way she writes. I've been making her Black Cake every year since and so far, everyone has loved it. Nigella writes about it, and has her own version of the cake in her Christmas book... which is also wonderful. Get both! Smile

VeryPunny · 21/08/2015 20:02

I have both Novella and Delia, and Novella's book just doesn't quite do it for me. Recipes are a bit, well, ordinary?

NeverNic · 22/08/2015 10:33

I have both. I have a few recipes that I use from Delia, but Nigella's just feels more christmassy to me. I appreciate the over the top-ness!

GloGirl · 22/08/2015 10:41

Nigella for me. I love how everyone else's auto correct went to novella and mine tried to replace it with Nigeria Grin

I love her book and use it for large family occasions not just Christmas.

The presentation of it is beautiful and everytime I read it I went to sell the house and live in a cardboard box surrounded by her crockery

RJnomaaaaaargh · 22/08/2015 10:43

Nigella. No doubt at all. My favourite cookery book ever.

PotteringAlong · 22/08/2015 19:26

I'm "doing" christmas for the first time this year. I need to buy nigella, don't i?

Northernlurker · 22/08/2015 19:32

I love the Nigella one and the recipes are very do-able.

whitershadeofpale · 22/08/2015 19:38

Nigella for me too. Beautiful book, delicious recipes (I recommend the brined Turkey, her way of roasting potatoes, chocolate Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, vanilla spruce cake and rhubarb compote, gingerbread, soy and cranberry sausages, the roast pork with maple apple sauce, fully loaded potato skins- ok I'll stop now), and I love her style of writing; festive but realistic.

MooseyMoo · 22/08/2015 20:03

Delia Happy Christmas cookbook is £5 on Amazon

I don't have this but looks good ...

TheOnlyPink · 22/08/2015 20:16

pottering if you are any way nervous about doing Christmas, the nigella book will be a lifesaver. I got it the first year I did Christmas, for 12 people, and it was a lifesaver.

Original poster
StDogolphin · 22/08/2015 20:36

I am going to have to get several, and the Booths Book as well! :)

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